Has the City fired their new star planner?

Word is going around that Mark Roseland, http://research.rem.sfu.ca/people/roseland/ has been fired from his job as a Planner for the City of North Vancouver.  

There had been rumblings around City Hall concerning Roseland's style so he may have not been a good fit in a public servant role, possibly he was too academically focused. 
  Just as a reminder, North Van Council Watch does accept "brown envelope leaks" of any confidential documents or info that you feel the public deserves to know at 1057-1641 Londsale St  V7M 2J5

Naomi Wins!

Once the absentee ballots are in, the results will be about the same as usual in NVan Lonsdale. Craig will get a few hundred more then when he ran 8 years ago and Naomi will get about she did last time.

Since this a blog about City Council politics, I have to point out what this changes on Council.  A long time ago two NDP member met and decided how to divide up their upcoming conquest of the City of North Van.  They would both run for Council with Mussatto looking at the Mayor's Chair and Keating becoming the MLA.  Darryl won on his first try and Craig has lost twice now, I doubt he will be given a third chance.

Does he bother again?  Does Darryl step down as the rumour is?  Does Craig run for Mayor in Nov 2014 and Darryl run for the Liberals federally, stepping down prior as Craig has shown that running intending not to finish a Council term is a recipe to lose?

Do all the people who endorsed Craig hoping they would run in a byelection now all run in 2014?  Amanda Nichol, Scott McMyn, Evonne Stronwald and Tyler Russell.  As many NDP members as seats counting Linda and Cheryl.

Save taxpayers $$$ - Vote for Naomi Yamamoto

In November of 2011, Craig Keating promised that he would serve as a Councillor for three years.  In my opinion he had every intention of running in this election 18 months later.  He lied to the voters.

The result of this lie is the City of North Vancouver would have to pay for a byelection to replace him.  Council wise it will be completely pointless.  The likely winner will be Cheryl Leia who almost beat Guy Heywood in the last election as part of Mussatto's Vision North Vancouver slate.  She would be running against 6-8 people most of whom would be speaking as they would be against Mussatto and the status quo. 

Council would be short a person for six months until the byelection the third Saturday of November. A tied Council with Mussatto, Buchanan and Clark against Bookham, Bell and Heywood would be pointless.

Voting for Keating is the same as voting for this pointless spending, help Keating to keep his word and save yourself some money by voting for Naomi Yamamoto.

Rod Clark uses racist language and refuses to withdraw it

I am in state of shock. 

In a long tirade against the Council, Clark made the following statement that Port Metro Vancouver "jewed" us down. When chastised by Councilor Don Bell for his language and asked to withdraw by the Mayor - Clark refused. He said it was a common phrase and he did not say it in a religious way. 

When the Mayor apologized to the City and for the City for Clark's words' Clark just snorted in laughter.

Clark has lost my vote permanently not just for the original comment but for his disdainful conduct afterwards.

I call for him resign.  If you regain some common sense, you'll do it now and quickly and save yourself the heaps of scorn and derision the public is about to give.

You threw yourself in a hole and time to stop digging with justifications that will only make it worse.

Council took strong action against former Councillor Fearnley for far less, they have to impose like sanctions on Clark now to avoid being picking up the stink of the Clark's racist statement.

Video follows when the City makes available, it happened around 8.20 pm.

UPDATE: 

CTV Story with original remarks and Clark's apology the next day.

North Shore News story

Clark has fully apologized so that is the end of it, except for the judgement of the voters in November 2014.

NDP's Keating threatening voters with fines!

Craig Keating who has run quite a few times in North Van and one failed attempt for provincially, has had to apologize for his campaign tricks.

He created a fake authorization form which made it look like there was a law forced strata managers to allow him and his canvassers into their building without being buzzed in by an individual. He implied that they would be charged and given a $5000 fine if they didn't give his canvassers free rein into their condo building.

"NDP Candidate's Official Authorization

I, Craig Keating, the undersigned candidate for the electoral district of North Vancouver Lonsdale, herby appoint ______________, my authorized representative for the purpose of canvassing electors and distributing election material.

Residential Tenancy Act Regarding Access to Residential Properties:

30 (2) A landlord must not unreasonably restrict access to residential property by 

(a) a candidate seeking election to the Parliament of Canada, the Legislative Assembly or an office in an election under the Local Government Act, the School Act or the Vancouver Charter, or

(b) the authorized representative of such a person who is canvassing electors or distributing election material.

Offences and penalties

95 (1) A person who contravenes any of the following provisions commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of not more than $5,000:"

One strata condo resident inquired about Keating's actions.

"About 5:30 this evening, we were startled by a knock at our condo door.  For security we have a video enterphone system so we do not allow anyone that we do not know into our 32 unit building.  However Mr. Keating has found a way to circumvent our privacy and security by sending canvassers to our building with signed papers saying they must not be unreasonably denied entry into our building, citing requirements of the Elections Act.  See attachment.

The two representatives of Mr. Keating, did not identify themselves by name, and told us our Strata Council President allowed them into the building when asked.  They insisted on confirming our full names and wanted to know if NDP could count on our vote. We found their presence very intrusive and upsetting,  particularly the young male representative, who was wearing a hoodie and had a back pack strapped to his back. 

I can't believe The Elections Act would force our Strata Council President to allow entry of these NDP representatives.  The alternative is a $5000 fine, I believe.

Is this legitimate? "

Canvassers do not have the right to access multi-family buildings under the B.C. Election Act unless specific consent has been provided by the strata corporation, and even then, a strata council would be well advised to seek the consent of its ownership before considering access.

The Strata President has posted a letter of apology for letting Keating con him.

"Dear owners.

I write to apologise to you for an incident that occurred yesterday.

Late yesterday afternoon, on the basis of documentation signed by the local NDP candidate Craig Keating, I allowed two canvassers access to the building.

I have since discovered that, despite the apparent threat outlined in the documents I saw, there was no need for me to have done that.

At noon today I went to Craig Keating's office on 14th to express my anger at the deception to which I was subjected and to let them know that their behaviour  and that of their volunteers in this case was unacceptable.  They apologised saying it never should have happened but did admit that they had caused it to happen.

I have been in touch with Tony Gioventu from the Condominium Homeowners Association (CHOA) and he has in turn been speaking with Carole James' office where he was advised that it is not NDP policy to demand or even request access.

I hope you will accept my apologies for this incident.  I will be in touch with Strata Council to review this matter and my related behaviour with them."

Don't give Keating and his NDP ilk the right to break into your living room to lecture you.